A lesser murder verdict prevented prosecutors from seeking the death penalty against the 24-year-old Licon in the December 2010 killings of his half brother, Angel Jaquez, and Jaquez’s son, Xavier Jaquez.

Licon mounted an insanity defense.

Prosecutors said Licon killed his brother in the Phoenix townhome they shared over a drug dispute and then kidnapped and fatally shot his nephew in an alley 20 miles away.

Investigators believe the boy either saw or heard his father die and was killed by his uncle out of fear that the child would snitch on Licon.

A judge will now decide whether Licon will spend the rest of his life in prison or will be eligible for release after 35 years. Sentencing is set for Dec. 16.